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RACING ETIQUETTE IN ENGLAND. The. novice in the world of racing often finds himself "up against" aU kinds of little points of eti-fluette rendered customary by long usage, but not generally known outside the regular devotees of the BPl?oi instance, the equine patricians who liave passed the post first in classic" races are always, on being led back to the paddock, treated by the onlookers with a mark of courtesy generally ren, dered to reigning sovereigns, i. e., a general doffing of hats. The man who fails to bow solemnly to the Derby winner after the race gives himself away at once as unversed in racing etiquette. Except at Ascot, where there is a state procession, it is an unwritten law that no notice shall he taken of royalty at race meetings. The king or any other inctnber of the royal family on the course is treated lust as an ordinary commoner. In fact, you would often see the late King Edward in the paddock, say ut Epsom, taking his chance with a whole crush of minor notabilities of the racing and social world in their anxletv to view the horses as they were being led out. This observance of the royal Incognito, indeed is said to have been originated by bis late majesty, when Prince of Wales, for his devotion to the SDort of racing was such that be openly admitted his intolerance, while indulging in it, of tiresome ceremony. In the case of the Derby, the Oaks, the One m. Thousand and Two Thousand Guineas, the St. Leger, the Manchester Cup, the Liverpool Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Ascot Vase, the Chester Cnp, the Jubilee Handicap, the Lincoln Handicap and the Goodwood Cup, the winner is always "led in" by the owner. If he Is unavoidably absent this duty must be performed by a relative of his, or a personal friend deputed by him. Although jockeys are allowed assistance in saddling, etc., before a race, they must not receive it in unsaddling before entering the weighing room to be weighed in after the event. They must themselves take off the saddle and carry it, with bridle, etc.. Into the weighing room.. There is perhaps more actual etiquette in the matter Of training than in any other department of racing. For example, suppose you are the guest of an owner or trainer, to watch his horses at exercise. It is usual for a trainer to ride on the near side of his string, so that, in meeting or passing one, you should pull to the near side of the trainer: that is to say, vou should invariably avoid finding yourself between lilm and the horses under his charge. In witnessing a gallop, an invited guest stands or, if be is riding, reins his mount up behind the trainer, who Is generally Judging; or if, as sometimes happens, the latter is riding the last part of the trial with the horses engaged to see how they go, the guest must station himself behind whoever is acting as Judge. It is considered an act of great rudeness to ask the respective weights of the horses in a trial. These, by the way, are generally told, In confidence, to Invited witnesses, but if they are for any reason withheld it 1 looked upon as decidedly tactless to put It very mildly to make an inquiry. Absolute punctuality Is one of the greatest rules when invited to go over stables or to witness a trial. On receipt of such an invitation, ask the time and the place, and lie careful to be there on the tick of the clock. Nothing puts the trainer or his head lad. r.ot to mention the other lads, into such a Justifiable, ill-humor as having valuable horses kept waiting about. Dossibly in the cold, or in a drizzling shower, for. sav, 10 or 20 minutes, by an unpunctual guest. Bv the way. It is just as bad a breach of racing-etiquette to be too early for a trial as to be behind time. The reason is that there may be another, private trial just before the one which the guest is to witness. London Answers.
